How long does prediabetes take to turn into diabetes?

Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

Updated on August 31, 2024

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How long it takes for prediabetes to progress into diabetes varies, with no definitive answer, as it differs from person to person. Whether prediabetes will develop into diabetes largely depends on blood sugar control. Clinical experience shows that some individuals never progress to diabetes after adjusting their diet and exercise routines. However, if a patient does not take their condition seriously and fails to change their lifestyle, it might take as little as 2-3 years or as long as 5-10 years to develop into diabetes. Therefore, it is crucial to manage lifestyle promptly upon prediabetes diagnosis, paying attention to blood sugar monitoring and pancreatic function tests.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

37sec

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Care of diabetic foot

The care of diabetic foot is very important. In our daily life, we need to do the following aspects. First, regularly wash and check both feet. During washing, the water temperature should not be too high. Also, keep the skin moist to prevent it from drying and cracking. Second, choose suitable shoes and socks, preferably loose-fitting to avoid tightness. Third, be careful when trimming toenails, making sure not to damage the skin of the feet. If there are any sores, go to the hospital immediately for treatment. Fourth, avoid using corrosive chemicals on the feet.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

1min 6sec

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Type 2 diabetes daily diet

Type II diabetes requires careful daily dietary considerations. First, meals should be regular and moderate in portion; overeating is to be avoided. Second, ideally consume only three meals a day and avoid late-night snacks, which is a habit that many people have but is inadvisable. Third, the amount of carbohydrates per meal should be controlled; about 100 grams of staple food per meal is sufficient for those who perform moderate physical labor and do not engage in heavy physical activities. Fourth, sweet foods like pastries and cakes, which are high in sugar, should be completely avoided. Fifth, foods like porridge and glutinous rice, which have a high glycemic index, are not recommended. Lastly, very sweet fruits such as lychees, longans, durians, grapes, and bananas are too sugary and not suitable for consumption.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

41sec

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Early symptoms of type 2 diabetes

The typical symptoms of type 2 diabetes are referred to as "three excesses and one deficiency." The three excesses include excessive thirst and dry mouth, increased appetite with frequent hunger, and increased urination. The one deficiency refers to weight loss; these are the more typical symptoms. Some patients might often find out about their elevated blood sugar during routine health checks at work. Others may seek medical advice due to issues like skin itchiness or wounds that heal poorly after injury. Some might mainly experience numbness in their hands and feet, or blurred vision among other symptoms.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

1min 12sec

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Gestational diabetes symptoms

During pregnancy, there are two scenarios concerning diabetes: one is where diabetes is diagnosed before pregnancy, referred to as pregestational diabetes combined with pregnancy. The other scenario is where the sugar metabolism is normal before pregnancy, or there is an underlying reduced glucose tolerance, and diabetes appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes. Over 80% of diabetic pregnant women have gestational diabetes. Typically, gestational diabetes doesn't show clear symptoms of the classic "three polys and one less" - excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. Some women with gestational diabetes may experience itching of the vulva, caused by repeated infections with Candida albicans. Additionally, gestational diabetes may lead to conditions like fetal macrosomia and polyhydramnios during pregnancy, and pregnant women with gestational diabetes are more prone to infections.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

47sec

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How to Control Gestational Diabetes

During pregnancy, if the pregnant woman has diabetes, it is essential to control blood sugar reasonably. Otherwise, high blood sugar can seriously affect both the fetus and the pregnant woman, and in severe cases, it can cause diabetic ketoacidosis in the pregnant woman and fetal death in utero. Diabetes in pregnant women can be intervened in the following ways: First, through dietary control, eat less sugary foods, such as sweets, pastries, and fruits. Second, it is necessary to be moderately active during pregnancy, taking a walk or maintaining 5,000 to 10,000 steps daily, which helps in the consumption of glucose in the body. Third, if the above two methods are ineffective, insulin should be used to control diabetes.